Honeysuckle Dreams

by Denise Hunter

  “You didn’t tell him?” Her voice rose at the end of the sentence. But then she bit her lip and cleaned up Sam’s face and wiped the tray with a wet wipe.

  Brady was suddenly in the chair next to her, his knees almost touching her thigh, an enigmatic look on his face. “Hope . . . I have a crazy idea.”

  She gave him a sideways look. “Oookay . . .”

  He held her gaze for a long moment. Long enough for her to notice the flecks of silver in his blue eyes.

  “What if we were engaged?” he said.

  Hoo-boy. She reared back. “We, as in . . . you and me? But we’ve never—we don’t even . . .” Hope shook her head. No words. She had no words. An awkward laugh escaped.

  “Not for real. Just, you know, until . . .”

  “Oh.” Temporarily. Fake.

  “The courts could very well side with the Parkers, Hope, right out of the gate. They might not even get a chance to hear why it’s in Sam’s best interest to stay with me.”

  She couldn’t believe it. It seemed crazy. Any objective person could take one look at Sam and Brady and tell what a good father he was.

  “A fake engagement won’t even be necessary unless the judge finds in my favor next week. But if he agrees to hear the arguments for what’s in Sam’s best interest at the final hearing, Calvin said a two-parent household could be just what we need to tip the scales in our favor.”

  We. Our. Oh, that sounded awfully nice.

  But she imagined all their friends and family. How would they play this off with them? She and Brady had been friends forever. Just friends.

  At first, in high school, he was just Zoe’s older brother. Then after graduation Zoe had taken off to tour with her band, Brevity, and Hope had been so busy with college and working, she’d only seen Brady from time to time. But once she’d gotten her degree and taken the weekend job managing the Rusty Nail, she’d started running into him more often. They became friends, and even began flirting a bit here and there. Hope had started thinking that maybe . . .

  But then Audrey had entered the picture.

  Brady sank back in his chair and scrubbed his hands over his face. “I don’t know what I’m thinking.” He palmed his eyes. “I’m losing it. I’m flipping losing it.”

  Hope rubbed his arm, wishing she could take away his pain. Poor guy. He so didn’t deserve this.

  “No, you’re not. Come on, hon, you’re just upset. Who can blame you after the news you just got? It’s really not such a crazy idea . . . I mean, if it would help you get custody, I’d do it in a heartbeat, you know?”

  His hands fell away, his eyes locking onto hers for a long moment. “You would?”

  “Of course I would.” It was just a matter of weeks or . . . maybe months? If it would get him Sam, she’d be doing them both a service. She gave him a lame smile. “What’s a little fake engagement between friends?”

  His eyes fixed on hers until she warmed under his perusal. Brady might be only a friend, but he was all kinds of handsome with that black hair and those piercing blue eyes. It was pretty intense having all that attention laser-focused on her.

  “Really?” he said. “You’d do that for me?”

  “For you and Sam? Of course I would.” She squeezed his hand. It was a small price to pay.

  Sammy held out his arms, and she stood to lift him from the chair. “Now that that’s settled, you’d better help me get this ring off or your sister’s going to kill me.”

  chapter five

  The honorable Judge Alders looked to be in his sixties. His bushy eyebrows perched over a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles, and he seemed to wear a perpetual frown. The courtroom lights shone off his balding crown as he hunched over his bench, peering at documents through his bifocals.

  Brady squirmed in his chair behind the defendant’s table and refrained from looking over at the Parkers. Both sides had just spent five minutes defending their positions—a total of ten minutes would decide whether Brady should even be considered as a potential guardian.

  In a matter of minutes he could be ordered to surrender Sam and give up his rights to see him ever again or even know how he was doing or where he was living. It seemed impossible that it had come to this.

  Calvin had done everything he could to sway things in Brady’s favor. He’d informed the judge that Brady was engaged and that his fiancée was Sam’s full-time caregiver. Since Hope’s temporary job in Atlanta was now over she’d agreed to this. Brady had insisted on paying her a decent wage, and she’d still work weekends at the Rusty Nail. He was sure that babysitting wasn’t her dream job, but she was a good enough friend not to say so.

  The judge shuffled the papers and pushed his glasses up his nose as he looked out to address the nearly empty courtroom.

  This was it. Brady clenched his hands in his lap. His lungs seemed to forget how to operate.

  “Breathe,” Calvin whispered.

  Brady sucked in a lungful of air and blew it out, not taking his eyes off the man who would decide Sam’s fate.

  Judge Alders folded his robed arms on the bench. “This is an unusual case. To my knowledge a custody case has never been brought in Georgia between biological grandparents and a non-biological father.”

  Brady’s heart skipped a beat. Was that good or bad? He forced himself to remain still through the long pause.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Parker, I’m deeply sorry for the loss of your daughter. As biological grandparents you certainly have the right to make a custody complaint.” He looked back down at the documents. “According to the records, Mr. Collins was regular with visitation rights prior to the mother’s death. And since then he’s had permanent custody. Although the court-ordered paternity test was negative, he clearly cares a great deal for the child.”

  The judge cleared his throat. “The plaintiffs argue that since the defendant is not the biological father he reserves no custody rights whatsoever. However, I’m inclined to hear arguments on what’s in the child’s best interest. So in response to the first motion, I find in favor of the defendant.”

  That was him. He had a chance! Brady’s heart rate hit a new level even as his breath left his body. Oh, thank You, Jesus! Thank You!

  He heard a whimper from the plaintiff’s table but couldn’t bring himself to feel anything but relief and pure joy.

  Calvin gave him a smile and a brief nod.

  Before Brady could even process his good fortune, the judge moved into the temporary hearing. Brady’s head swam as each of the attorneys made his case.

  It seemed crazy that such monumental decisions were made in a matter of minutes, but that’s what was happening. He clung to hope as the proceeding wrapped up.

  And then it was all up to the judge again.

  Brady fidgeted in his seat as Judge Alders once again cleared his throat. “This second motion is regarding temporary custody of the child, which will remain in effect until the final hearing. After reviewing the witness statements and hearing the arguments . . . I’ve decided in favor of the defendant.”

  That was him. Brady closed his eyes for a long moment, his head tipping back as a wave of relief washed over him. His eyes prickled with tears.

  Thank You, God. Thank You.

  Moments later he was vaguely aware of Patricia Parker’s indignant voice as she scolded her attorney on their way down the aisle.

  Calvin shook Brady’s hand. His face had broken out into a wide smile. “Congratulations, Brady.”

  “Thank you so much. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Let’s move out to the hall and chat a few minutes.”

  The hallway of the Murray County courthouse was clear by the time they got there. The building was fancier than one might expect, with cherry wainscoting on the walls and molded tray ceilings.

  Brady was full of nervous energy from the adrenaline rush. There was a wooden bench along the wall, but he couldn’t even think of sitting right now. They’d won. Sam was his, at least for the coming months, and th
e judge was going to consider him for permanent custody.

  Calvin set his briefcase on the bench and angled a full smile his way. “A good day in court.”

  “The best. I’m still shaking. What’s next?”

  “Discovery. We’ll prepare for the final hearing, which is a matter of months away—usually six to nine. But if both sides agree, we can do it sooner.”

  “The sooner the better, from where I’m standing.” He just wanted to get this over and get on with his life.

  “We’ll see about getting that done then.”

  “It’s a good sign that the judge gave me temporary custody, right? I mean, for the long haul?”

  “Well, of course. He understands Sam is being well taken care of. But it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll find for you in the final hearing. He’ll hear all the evidence. When’s the wedding date?”

  Brady blinked. “What?”

  “You and Hope? When’s the big day?”

  “Uh . . .”

  “Sometime soon, I hope. Before the final hearing. It could make all the difference. Didn’t you see the change in Judge Alder’s demeanor when he found out you were engaged? I believe it changed everything. I don’t think we would’ve even gotten this tried on a best interest standard otherwise.”

  Brady’s spirits plummeted. “We . . . we haven’t set a date yet. We’ll need time to plan and all.”

  “I suggest you make it soon. I’m sure your fiancée will be more than happy to be flexible when she realizes what’s at stake.”

  “Um, of course. I’ll . . . I’ll talk to her. But really, wouldn’t an engagement be just as convincing to the court?”

  “A set wedding date might help a bit. But engagements are broken all the time, Brady. You want your best chance. Take my word for it: show up at the final hearing with a wedding band on that hand and a wife on your arm.”

  Gravity pushed at his shoulders. “Right.”

  Calvin clapped him on the back and grabbed his briefcase. “I’ll give you a call next week, and we’ll set up an appointment.”

  “Sure, sure. Sounds good.”

  Calvin’s footsteps echoed down the cavernous hall, and Brady could only stand there like a statue watching him go. He swallowed hard. A wedding band. A wife. What in heaven’s name was he going to do now?

  chapter six

  Brady frowned at the Excel spreadsheet on his laptop. Of all the days to be doing this, his least favorite part of owning a business.

  He glanced at Sam, who’d rolled his way across the living room—a new trick—and was now on his belly. He babbled at the squeaky toy clenched in his fist.

  Needing a break from numbers, Brady got up and swooped the baby into his arms. An unwelcome aroma assaulted him. “Whoa, little dude. You reek.”

  He carried Sam over to the sofa and began changing his diaper. “You couldn’t have waited for Hope, huh? Had to stick Daddy with a messy one.”

  Daddy. The word was like an arrow to his heart. He still could hardly believe he and Sam didn’t share the same DNA. He couldn’t love the kid any more, though, that was for sure. Sammy smiled up at him, those blue eyes sparkling, that gummy smile breaking his heart.

  After the hearing this morning, Brady’s hopes had been so high. But they’d quickly fallen as reality crashed in. Calvin had made it pretty clear what needed to happen. But Brady wasn’t engaged. He didn’t even have a girlfriend. How had he gotten himself into this fix?

  Focus on the positive. He had temporary custody of Sam, and the judge was going to give him a fair hearing. That was something, wasn’t it?

  But Calvin was right. He was a single man with no blood ties to the baby. And though Sam had bonded to him already, the kid was only six months old. Babies adjusted quickly. Look how quickly he was recovering from Audrey’s death. And she’d been his full-time mommy.

  A dread built inside him like a brewing storm, dark and ominous. Somewhere in the background a clock was ticking down the hours he had left with Sam. He swallowed hard against the lump in his throat, his eyes stinging with tears.

  God, help me. I don’t understand why this is happening. I can’t lose him. I just can’t. And the thought of the Parkers raising him . . . You can’t let that happen. Please, God. I love this kid so much.

  He finished up the diaper, blinking back the tears. He’d shed more of them recently than he had since he was a child. Even the divorce hadn’t left him feeling so raw. He’d called Zoe and Hope after the hearing as promised, and they’d been elated by his news. But he hadn’t told them the bad part. If they sensed his lack of enthusiasm they didn’t mention it.

  He set Sam on his lap, and his heart melted when the baby leaned forward and snuggled into his chest. Brady should be working right now. He had a clutch to replace and an engine to tune, but he suddenly wanted to soak up every possible moment with Sammy. Time with his son might well be running out.

  Hope walked toward Brady’s house, eager to hear all the details of the hearing. It sounded as though everything had gone his way in court today, but she’d sensed a gravity on the phone that she hadn’t had time to explore. Maybe she’d only imagined it. He’d probably just been overwhelmed.

  She hadn’t even had a chance to ask him if they’d need to go through with the fake engagement. Maybe that’s what was going on. Maybe he was worried about pulling that off.

  Well, they’d have plenty of time to talk now. She was officially a full-time Sammy-sitter. Was officially finished filling in at WKPC. There were several months between now and October, and she worried Diana might change her mind. What if she lost the opportunity?

  Stop that. God knew what He was doing. He’d taken care of her so far. He wasn’t going to let loose of her now. She balked at the thought, remembering a time that belief had been shaken. But she didn’t want to think on that now. Or ever, really.

  Hope pushed back a loose strand of hair. She was glad she’d worn it up today. The June temperature was pushing a hundred, and the humidity nearly stole her breath.

  She pulled Brady’s kitchen door open. “Knock knock!”

  “Come in.” Brady was on the sofa, Sam lying against his chest. “Hey there.” Brady’s gaze only flickered off hers, but she didn’t miss the bloodshot eyes and look of defeat.

  Her spirits sank. She’d been right. Something was wrong. “Hey, Collins.”

  At the sound of her voice, Sam turned and smiled around his pacifier, looking impossibly adorable. The baby held out his arms as Hope approached.

  She took him, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “How’s my favorite little punkin?”

  “He has a new trick. He can roll across the entire room. You’ve been forewarned.”

  She poked Sam’s soft belly. “Is that true, little man? Are you a big boy now? Are you a big boy, huh?”

  As he giggled, Hope caught an odor. She wrinkled her nose. “Ew, I think someone messed his pants. Shoo—ee! Sammy’s stinky!”

  Brady pushed to his feet, waving a balled-up diaper before heading toward the kitchen. “Already taken care of. You’re welcome.”

  Hope chuckled. “Way to go, Sammy! Save the good ones for Daddy!”

  As soon as she said the word, she bit her lip. It had only been a week since he’d gotten the test results. The wound was still pretty raw.

  When Brady returned she set Sam down on the rug and sat beside Brady on the sofa. “Okay . . . Why do I get the feeling your hearing didn’t go quite as well as you made it sound earlier?”

  He gave a strained smile. “It did go well. The judge is going to hear our argument at the final hearing, and I got temporary custody.”

  She studied his face. Such a handsome face. And such a kind heart. She wanted to smooth the worry creases from his forehead and massage away the strain from his shoulders. He’d been through so much with Audrey and now this.

  “But . . . ,” she prompted.

  “But . . . part of the reason for the judge’s decision today was my engagement—” He shot her a look.
“My nonexistent engagement to my nonexistent fiancée.”

  She gave her head a shake. “So . . . we’ll just follow through with the plan. I already told you I’d do it. I mean, I admit we’ll catch some flak from our friends. And we’ll have to tell Zoe and Cruz what’s really going on, but—”

  Brady was shaking his head, staring at Sam, who’d already rolled halfway across the room.

  “What?”

  He gave a sigh that seemed to come from his toes. “Calvin doesn’t think an engagement will be enough, Hope.”

  “What do you mean? You just said it was part of the reason things went in your favor today.”

  “Yes. Because presumably that engagement would end in a wedding that would provide two parents for Sam. Calvin said I should ‘move up’ the wedding date to before the final hearing—which, by the way, could be just a few months away.”

  Her spirits sank. “Oh. What did he say when you—”

  Brady cut a look her way.

  “Ah. You didn’t tell him.”

  His lips tightened. A shadow flickered as he clenched his jaw. He punched a pillow. “Why didn’t I start dating after the divorce instead of sulking around my garage? I could’ve at least had a girlfriend by now.”

  “Because Audrey wrecked your heart, and you weren’t ready yet.”

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready after this. She really did a job on me, Hope.” His head fell back against the sofa cushion. “What am I going to do? I can’t stand the thought of losing him. I can’t stand the thought of the Parkers raising him. They’ll smother the sweetness right out of him—” His voice choked off.

  She took his hand in both of hers. It was so big, rough with calluses and permanently stained around the nails from his work.

  “We . . . we could get married for real . . .”

  He gave her a look. “Hope . . . come on. That goes way beyond the bounds of friendship.”

  He was right. A fake engagement was one thing. Marriage quite another.

  And yet . . . she loved Brady. And she loved his little guy. For a moment she imagined being a mommy. Putting Sammy down to sleep every night and singing lullabies and teaching him his ABCs. Her heart rolled over in her chest.